december's project

Last month's project at the Sisterhood was to make the holiday season better for others. Truly one of my favorite things about the Christmas season is the giving. Don't get me wrong, I triple puffy heart receiving presents but I love, love, love giving. Even if I never see the recipient's face, knowing that I was able to give something to help them or make them smile makes my own heart smile and I love that feeling. I hope I can remember everything to highlight but I didn't write it down so I'm totally going by memory here and anyone that knows me well knows I suffer from "mommy brain". That being said...

In an effort to teach my children that they are really blessed we went shopping and each one picked a toy for another child his/her age. We then donated the toys to a Toys for Tots drive at my six year old's school.

Running through Burger King for a large diet coke one morning (I know, it's a bad habit), the person in front of me paid for my drink. I, in turn, paid for the person behind me. The cashier said this had been going on all morning long and hadn't stopped. Each person continued to pay for the person behind them.

Each time we passed a bell ringer for the Salvation Army my three year old asked for money. And of course I gave it to her. She did that more times than I can count.

My Christmas gift to Melissa's son Bridger was a donation to his fundraiser for clean water. And did you know he actually exceeded his goal of $5,000??? What an amazing little boy.

I feel like there's something I'm forgetting and I very well might be. The point is that blessing others ends up blessing you. I don't know about you, but I plan to continue paying it forward in 2011.

big project - bigger heart

This is the face of a 7 year old boy with the biggest heart ever. I believe this 100% and he's not even my child.

When he found out his mom was participating in an Out of Darkness Community Walk for suicide prevention he (and his brother) joined her and raised $315!

His next mission? To raise money to bring clean drinking water to people who need it on every continent. (All his idea, people.) His original plan was to save his first $100 and send it to help Africans. His next plan? Raise $5,000. He wants to raise money for clean water in lieu of receiving Christmas presents. I am amazed, proud and so overwhelmed at his generosity.

You can read more about his amazing heart here: Whooo's That Girl?: wise beyond his years

And seriously, if you have even $5 to spare, what an amazing present for this little boy. Heck, what an amazing present for those people in dire need of one of life's basic necessities. Water.